Medical service prices increased in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in the third quarter of 2013.

Local authorities avoid making adjustments in September because it is the first month of the new school year, which can lead to price spikes for many items.

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In 2013, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and a few first-class hospitals under ministries and agencies such as the Army, Police, Transport, and Post will have to complete the adjustment of medical service prices.

Regarding this matter, Mr. Nguyen Nam Lien, Deputy Director of the Planning and Finance Department of the Ministry of Health, said that Hanoi is expected to adjust and increase medical service prices in the third quarter of 2013, and Ho Chi Minh City is expected to do so in the fourth quarter of 2013.

To prevent this latest increase in medical service prices from causing a major disruption, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will avoid adjusting prices in September, as this is the first month of the new school year. Furthermore, they will not implement the maximum price immediately, but rather follow a gradual implementation plan, aligning with people's ability to pay and balancing the Health Insurance Fund.

According to the head of the Planning and Finance Department of the Ministry of Health, from June 2012 to the present, 61 out of 63 provinces and cities have adjusted medical service prices upwards by 60-80% of the maximum rate. Only a few specialized hospitals at the highest level, treating critically ill patients and implementing high-tech, high-cost procedures, have prices at around 90% of the maximum rate.

Mr. Nguyen Nam Lien stated that the recent price increase for medical services in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and some hospitals in the sector applies to 447 out of more than 3,000 medical services, so the impact is not significant. In particular, those with health insurance cards (accounting for 68% of the population) will benefit the most and be least affected by this adjustment.

Specifically, those who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution and children under 6 years old, whose health insurance cards have been purchased by the State and whose costs are 100% covered by health insurance as stipulated, will not be affected. Retirees, the poor, and ethnic minorities, whose health insurance cards have also been issued by the State, will have 95% of their medical expenses covered by health insurance, so they only have to pay an additional 5%. Other individuals with health insurance cards will have 80% of their expenses covered, only having to pay an additional 20%.

Approximately 70% of the total hospital fees paid by patients are for medications, blood, intravenous fluids, supplies, and chemicals directly used during treatment. These costs are charged based on actual usage and the hospital's purchase prices, and therefore are not affected by this price adjustment.

According to (Chinhphu.vn) - LT